Rowing going be to young

After losing 10 seniors, a tender-aged Kansas University rowing team will feature just five seniors this year.

"We're going to be pretty young," KU coach Rob Catloth said.

Four returning crew members from last year's first eight - Kara Boston, Lindsey Lawrence, Valerie Jackson and Carrie Selden - will carry this season's youthful squad. Boston, a senior, possesses an intense drive and focus, which compensates for her 5-foot-6 height.

"We're looking at her a lot for just getting good boat speed," he said.

After graduating from Lawrence High in 2006, the 5-10 Lawrence made a strong debut during her freshman season.

"She has good size for rowing," Catloth said. "She was just one of those rare people that (rowing) came sort of easy to."

The Jayhawks, who ended the year finishing 16th in the South-Central Regionals, could also welcome as many as 15 newcomers.

"I don't really know any of them," Catloth said. "It's hard to say how they'll come along or how they'll do."

Only two other Big 12 schools, Kansas State and Texas, offer women's rowing teams as a D-I sport.